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Rainwater Tank To Mains Water Switches: What You Need To Know


Australia’s average rainfall has made the switch to a rainwater tank a smart financial and environmental decision. A rainwater tank collecting water during rain gives households a larger and cheaper pool of water to draw from, making sure you always have enough high-pressure water when you need it.

Having a rainwater tank incorporated into your plumbing system is convenient, especially if you live in a rural area or far away from the city where you may experience low water pressure from the mains water source.

A rainwater tank fitted with a water switch will ensure your home always has water available by using rainwater for your toilets and outdoor water use. The water switch reduces the demand on water mains until your rainwater tank doesn’t have water to supply. 

In this article, we’ll tackle all the basics about rainwater to mains switches, their benefits, and compare different types of water switches. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Rainwater To Mains Switch?

A rainwater to mains switch is a useful addition to your rainwater harvesting system. It’s a quick and common installation that can easily improve the efficiency of your home rainwater tank system and can save you in the long run. 

You Can Easily Manage Your Stored Rainwater And Mains Water Supply 

You have a continuous water supply for household activities like gardening, doing the laundry, or even using rainwater to flush the toilet. When the rainwater in the storage tank is low or if the tank is empty, you can easily switch to the mains water supply manually, or have it swap automatically with a water switch installed.

It Allows You To Save On Utility Costs

There is less demand for using water from the mains because you only need to switch when the water in your rainwater tank reaches a critically low level. Some tank switches let you save up to 40% of mains water usage. As a result, there is a noticeable reduction in metered water supply costs.

How Automatic Mains Water Switches Work 

A water switch works by using a rainwater tank sensor to detect the water level within your rainwater tank. If the sensor detects that the water level is too low, it will automatically shut off the connection between your home and rainwater tank, and reconnect your home to the mains water supply.

By using this sensor, it can detect when your rainwater tank is full enough for your home to use that water again, and will then reconnect your home to the rainwater tank’s supply. This reduces the demand for water from the water mains supply and will reduce your water bills by using naturally collected rainwater.

How Do I Switch From Mains To Rainwater? 

If you’re using an automatic water switch, you don’t need to do anything for it to switch from rainwater to water mains. It has a sensor that detects if there is sufficient supply to revert to water tank use.

If you’re using a manual tank switch, you need to turn the lever on the device to switch to rainwater use. Switching from mains water use to rainwater use depends entirely on the type of switching device you have.

Automatic vs Manual Rainwater To Mains Switches

An automatic switching device typically has water level sensors or float switches that detect whether the water tank has sufficient or critically low water supply, whereas a manual one requires you to manually inspect your tank, and change your water source to water mains when it’s too low.

Some automatic rainwater switchover devices use pump pressure to determine the water level inside the rainwater tank. The readings from the sensors are processed in the microcontroller unit, which diverts water usage to one of the water sources depending on the water level or the pump pressure. The device also has a power supply unit that needs electricity for the unit to run. Automatic rainwater to mains switches are usually more expensive than manual units.

Manual rainwater to mains switches consist of a valve and hand lever. Turning the levers can either open the tank valve and let water from the rainwater tank to flow or close the valve and switch to mains water use. Manual switches don’t cost as much as automatic switching devices, and they don’t need electricity to operate. However, you need to go out every time you need to swap your source of water supply.

Quality rain-to-mains switching devices in Australia include:

Alternatively, if you purchase a rainwater harvesting system or rainwater pump package, these will typically include a pump switching device for mains back-up. 

How To Tell If You’re Operating With A Tank Or Main Water Source 

The only way to know if you are using a tank or water main source is to check the rain-water tank pump and see if it is operating. If the pump is running, then it means you’re using rainwater. Otherwise, you’re getting water from the mains. 

However, keep in mind that you may have to check whether the switch from rainwater to mains water is caused by a low rainwater tank supply or water tank pump malfunction.

If you’re using an automatic rainwater to mains switch, you can expect to have continuous water flow towards your household. Because of that, it’s hard to tell if the water you’re using is coming from the rainwater tank or the mains water supply. If you’re struggling to tell if you’re running on rain water or mains water, or you suspect your tank pump may not be working properly, it’s best to contact a licensed professional. 

How To Check If The Mains Switch Is Working 

Checking if your mains switch works is an essential step, whether you have just installed one on your rainwater tank system or you’re conducting a routine maintenance check. Follow these steps to check if your mains switch is working.

1. Check The Water Level In Your Rainwater Tank

Check how much rainwater is in your tank. If you have a large storage tank and you don’t want to climb up on it, you can tap on the outside wall of the tank and listen for sounds. The changes in the sounds will let you know how much water the tank has. However, if you want a more accurate reading, you can use devices such as gauges and float indicators.

2. Check Your Water Pump And Mains Switch

Visually confirm the water pump switch to see what setting it’s on. If the tank water pump is working and the mains switch is on, water should flow from the rainwater tank.

3. Turn On A Faucet

Try turning on a faucet or flushing the toilet. If your garden hose or washing machine is connected to your rainwater system, you can also turn them on. The water pump should start running and make a humming sound. If you don’t have a rainwater pump, simply check if water flows from the tank.


Related Questions 

What Happens When The Water Tank Is Empty?

If you have an electronic or automatic rainwater to mains switch, it should default to using the mains water source when your rainwater tank is empty. However, if you’re using a manual switch, you must turn the lever manually to close the tank valve and swap to water mains use.

How Do I Check If There’s Water In My Water Tank?

There are several ways to check the amount of water in your water tank; you can either manually inspect it or use a range of devices to more easily monitor the level. You can always tap on the tank itself, and try to hear how empty it is, but modern tools give us a quicker and more accurate idea of how full a water tank is.

Water level indicators like the Apex Visi Ball Water Tank Level Indicator use a weight and gravity system to show the water level of the tank. An external red indicator is connected to an indoor weight and pulley system. The indicator’s height off the ground is the same as the water level in the tank, giving you a quick and easy way to see the water level in the tank.

Disclaimer:

This article is published for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. Always ensure you have the right qualifications and certifications to carry out DIY work and never put your safety at risk. Hills Irrigation recommends consulting a professional for all electrical and plumbing work.

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